German Car Scene

Month: October 2011

  • Audi reveals 2013 A4 and S4


    Audi has revealed its eighth-generation 80/A4 model range for the 2013 model year. Styling tweaks are pretty minimal, with the A4 receiving reshaped headlights, front bumper intakes, and grille, giving the A4 a sharper-looking face. Six-cylinder and S line models are distinguished by their high-gloss black horizontal grille ribs. The Xenon plus headlight option includes LED daytime-running lights and rear LED lights. The rear also gets a restyled bumper, diffuser and twin tailpipes. The S line sport package also includes 30 mm lower sports suspension, a 18- or optional 19-inch alloy wheels, and black interior trim.

    Other interior differences include the use of Nappa rather than Valcona leather, a wider selection of steering wheels featuring multi-function operations, a redesigned MMI (Multi Media Interface) system, which features four instead of eight buttons. The air conditioned and heated seats are now operated by their respective buttons. Trim materials include Aluminum Trigon, walnut, fine grain ash and Beaufort oak.

    A wide selection of diesel and petrol engines are on offer are equipped with recuperation and start/stop systems. These include the 100 kW (136 hp) 2.0 TDI which uses just 4.2 L/100 km (56.0 US mpg), and a new 120 kW (163 hp) 2.0 TDI which consumes 4.4 L/100 km (53.46 US mpg). Other four-cylinder diesel units can be spcified with 88 kW (120 hp), 105 kW (143 hp) and 130 kW (177 hp). Further up the scale, there’s a 3.0 TDI, which produces either 150 kW (204 hp) or 180 kW (245 hp).

    Petrol fans can choose from a 1.8 L TFSI powerplant, developing either 88 kW (120 hp) or 125 kW (170 hp), a 155 kW (211 hp) 2.0 L TFSI, Top of the tree is the 3.0 L TFSI supercharged V6 Engine. Offered as a 200 kW (272 hp) option, or 245 kW (333 hp) in the S4 model.

    [Source: Audi]

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  • Porsche 911 Carrera S ‘Chase’


    Here’s another video from this year’s Rennsport Reunion. Watch Leh Keen, in a Cayman R, chase Porsche Works Driver, Patrick Long, around Laguna Seca to film action shots of Porsche’s new 991 Carrera S model. Powered by a 400 hp 3.8 L unit, the Carrera S hits 0-62 mph in 4.3 seconds, or 4.1 s with Sport Plus engaged. (more…)

  • car2go providing Amsterdam with all-electric carsharing fleet


    The Netherlands will be following in North America’s footsteps next month, when 300 smart fortwo electric drive vehicles hit the streets of Amsterdam as part of the Daimler subsidiary’s car2go scheme.

    Hiring the fortwo couldn’t be any easier: the car doesn’t have to be returned to a rental station, and it doesn’t even have to be recharged before you give it back. Statistics have shown that the range of these electric drive vehicles is between eight and ten times further than the average customer’s requirements.

    The third-gen fortwo electric drive has a 17.6 kWh Lithium-ion battery powering its 55 kW electric motor, helping the tiny city car to hit 60 km/h (37 mph) in 5 seconds and reach a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).

    [Source: smart]

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  • Skoda wins its first World Rally Championship title


    Skoda Motorsport has secured its first FIA World Rally Championship title after Juho Hänninen and Mikko Markkula finished 1st in S2000, and 10th overall, last weekend, at the RACC Rally de España.

    After Ott Tänak retired on the opening day in Spain; Hänninen, driving for Red Bull Skoda, had to finish clear of Nasser Al-Attiyah, which he duly did. He can now add the SWRC champion crown to his 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge title, and is strongly-tipped to drive for Volkswagen in the new Polo R WRC car, which enters the WRC from 2013.

    “This is a perfect day for all of us and an excellent achievement, one of the milestones of my career. Everything worked perfectly, and although we didn’t have to play it risky, we were at the head of the pack throughout this rally,” said an ecstatic Hänninen.

    [Source: Skoda]

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  • DTM: BMW confirm Spengler for 2012


    BMW Motorsport has just confirmed Bruno Spengler as its third driver for the 2012 DTM season. Spengler will join Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus in piloting the new M3 DTM car. It has yet not been decided if he’ll join BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW Team RBM or BMW Team RMG.

    Born in Strasbourg, France, 28-year old Spengler made his DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) début for Mercedes back in 2005, and stayed with them until 2011. In that time, he’s enjoyed nine victories, eleven pole positions and twelve fastest laps – as well as being linked to various F1 drives.

    “Outside our current line-up, Bruno Spengler was one of our top choices. Despite his youth he has a lot of DTM experience, which will greatly assist us during our development phase and on race weekends,” said a delighted BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

    [Source: BMW Motorsport]

  • Porsche 962 on track at Rennsport Reunion


    Here’s Mark Hotchkis driving the epic Hotchkis Racing Porsche 962 at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway, during 2011’s Rennsport Reunion. This machine has previously competed at Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans. Turn your speakers up! (more…)